Summer's proper kicking off now, and as such there's a tonne of outdoor events taking advantage of the warmer weather (X Music, Hidden Door, The Old Town Street Food Festival) and evening events taking advantage of the longer daylight hours (Botanics Late, Zoo Nights). In amongst that lot, you'll find the same vibrant mix of theatre, film, clubs, gigs, exhibitions and assorted gubbins that make living in this city wonderful.
Theatre
A View from the Bridge, King’s Theatre, until Sat May 2
Arthur Miller's seminal drama about love, honour and the American Dream in a 1950s Italian-American neighbourhood is revived to celebrate the centenary of the playwright's birth.
Village Pub Theatre: May the Fourth be With You, The Village Pub, Mon May 4
VPT present an evening of short plays themed around May 4. There may or may not be a 'Star Wars' theme (there probably will).
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, Edinburgh Festival Theatre, until Sat May 9
Mark Haddon's best-selling novel about 'a mathematician with some behavioural difficulties' (pictured above) is touring the nation's playhouses courtesy of National Theatre, following a rapturous reception in the West End.
Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense, King’s Theatre, Mon May 11-Sat May 16
PG Wodehouses’s comic creations – best remembered for helping transport Hugh Laurie and Stephen Fry to fame when they played them in an early 1990s TV adaptation – are returned to the stage in a new play adapted from his writings. Aristocratic fool Bertie Wooster ('Peep Show's Robert Webb) is called upon to play matchmaker in the countryside, naturally not without the help of his faithful valet Jeeves (Jason Thorpe).
Imaginate, various venues, Mon May 11-Sun May 17
The annual young people’s performance festival returns with another packed programme of theatre, sound, storytelling, dance, puppetry and acrobatics. Highlights include ‘Bounce’, an exploration of human anatomy via the medium of bouncy castles, and Caroline Horton’s ‘Mess’, 'a play with songs' tackling obsession, addiction and anorexia.
Normal/Madness, Assembly Roxy, Tue May 12-Wed May 13
Scottish writer and actress Fiona Geddes delivers a true story solo show about the relationship between a mother with schizophrenia and her grown-up daughter.
The Venetian Twins, Royal Lyceum Theatre, until May 16
Lyceum associate artist Tony Cownie directs this take on Carlo Goldoni’s timeless comedy of mayhem-inducing mistaken identity, adding a witty Scottish twist.
The King’s Speech, King’s Theatre, Mon May 18-Sat May 23
You’ve watched the Oscar-winning movie with Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush. Now see the stage drama, featuring former ‘Neighbours’ actor and pop star Jason Donovan as Australian speech therapist Lionel Logue, and Raymond Coulthard (‘Mr Selfridge’, ‘Hotel Babylon’) as King George VI.
Rites, Traverse Theatre, Mon May 25-Sat May 30
A co-production between the National Theatre of Scotland and Contact, supported by the Scottish Refugee Council and Dignity Alert Research Forum, and created by Cora Bissett and Yusra Warsama, ‘Rites’ takes a sobering look at the very serious and deep-rooted cultural practice of Female Genital Mutilation. Based on interviews and true stories from midwives to teachers and health workers, it weaves together different perspectives into a powerful multi-voiced production.
Art
Dark Matters, Edinburgh Printmakers, until Sat May 23
Artists, astronomers and space engineers collaborate in this art project exploring the topic of deep space, with an additional series of site-specific installations across Edinburgh planned for the coming 12 months.
Possibilities of the Object, Fruitmarket, until Mon May 25
This special group exhibition examines the pioneering role Brazilian artists played in the innovative international art scene of the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s, be it recognisable names like Hélio Oiticica and Mira Schendel or their lesser-known contemporaries.
Lee Miller and Picasso, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Sat May 23-Sun Sep 6
The strong and long-lasting bond that developed between American photographer Lee Miller and Spanish artist Pablo Picasso after they met in summer 1937 was enshrined in more than 1000 photos and six portraits. This exhibition gathers a select 100 snaps, plus one painting and one drawing, to tell the tale of a fascinating friendship that spanned many years and experiences.
Slavs and Tatars: Lektor, Collective Gallery, until Sun Jul 12
Artist collective Slavs and Tatars present an audio installation in Collective’s old observatory space atop Calton Hill, exploring the similarities between ‘Mirrors for Princes’ – a sort of medieval how-to guide for aspiring rulers – and more modern self-help texts.
Roy Lichtenstein, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, until Sun Jan 10 2016
Not checked out the Modern's exhibition on one of the most radical and influential artists of the 20th century yet? It's on all month. And all year, come to that.
Reflections, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, until Sun Jan 10 2016
A programme of new and changing displays featuring work from a diverse range of internationally-renowned contemporary artists, including Louise Lawler, Taryn Simon, Cathy Wilkes, Martin Creed, Gabriel Orozco, Abraham Cruzvillegas and more.
Things to do
Bank Holiday weekend, Sat May 2-Mon May 4
We figured you might want to make the most of the bank holiday weekend, so we put together a handy holiday feature detailing all the best activities, club nights and assorted what-have-you. Don't say we're not good to you.
British Roller Derby Championships, Meadowbank Stadium, Sat May 2
Auld Reekie Roller Girls host the second leg of the inaugural British Roller Derby Championships, with teams from Middlesbrough, Birmingham, Cardiff, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh facing off in a full day of derby action. If you don't fancy attending for the full day, the home team plays Glasgow in the final match from 5pm.
Old Town Street Food Festival, The Three Sisters, Sun May 3
Populist Cowgate bar The Three Sisters makes the most of its expansive courtyard with an all day celebration of capital street food, with live music, DJs and cocktails thrown in. All Mixed Up, Zoete Koek, Big Meaty Sandwich Co, Adeji Chicken Shack, Harajuku Kitchen and All American BBQ are the vendors who'll be dishing up the eatables, with other entertainment still tbc.
Illicit Ink: The Sex Show, The Bongo Club, Sun May 3
Writers and spoken word performers Kaite Welsh, CN Lester, Kirstin Innes, Alan Bissett, Kirsty Logan and Claire Askew come together to share steamy tales of frolics between the sheets.
Create:Eat:Whisky, Gayfield Creative Spaces, Thu May 14-Sun May 17
Adventurous Edinburgh foodie crew Jelly & Gin celebrate Whisky Month 2015 with an immersive, multi-sensory cocktail experience at Gayfield Creative Spaces.
Rally & Broad, The Bongo Club, Fri May 15
We know we recommend the literary performance cabaret night pretty much every month, but this one is extra-special – in honour of their 50th show (and in conjunction with the Mental Health Foundation), they’ve booked Arab Strap’s Aidan Moffat for a headline spoken word set.
Botanics Late, Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh, Fri May 15
The Botanics stay aboard the after-hours bandwagon with a honey-and-whisky-themed late event featuring live music, street food, hands-on activities, demonstrations and - we think we're safe in assuming - plenty of the twin nectars.
FestivAle, Summerhall, Fri May 15 & Sat May 16
The spring edition of Summerhall’s semi-regular craft beers and spirits festival features boozy treats from Williams Bros, Top Out, The Rum Boys, the Bizarre Bottle Bar, Pickering’s Gin, Barney’s Beer and Thistly Cross Cider, plus street food, live music, DJs and such and such.
Derren Brown, The Edinburgh Playhouse, Mon May 18-Sat May 23
The UK’s favourite mind-bender returns to the live stage with more psychological illusions, this time under the show title ‘Miracle’. We’re sure he’s packing more than one.
The Whisky Stramash, Surgeon’s Hall, Fri May 22-Sun May 24
Another celebration of Scotland’s national drink to sync up with Whisky Month, this shindig features malts from home and abroad (including a handful of Japanese malts), with an additional secret Friday night event promising a little something extra.
Edinburgh Zoo Nights, Fri May 29
The first of this summer’s season of Zoo after-hours events features a paleontological theme to go with its ‘Dinosaurs Return!’ exhibition, as well as the usual smattering of street food stalls, performers and activities – but to be honest, the main attraction is still the animals themselves, and the ability to observe them in the evening without having to wade through masses of school kids to do it.
One Day in May Book Festival, Greyfriars Kirk, Sat May 30
A sneaky wee addition to Edinburgh’s already bursting festival calendar, this one-dayer at Greyfriar’s boasts a roster including Alasdair Gray, Alexander McCall Smith, children’s author Jeremy Strong and crime fic superstars Alanna Knight, Lin Anderson and Alex Gray.
Edinburgh Marathon Festival, Holyrood Park, Sat May 30 & Sun May 31
Seriously Edinburgh, this festivalisation of everything has to stop. Still, you can’t argue that there’s more to this event than the main marathon itself – there’s also a variety of shorter runs to suit all abilities.
The Edinburgh Salon, secret venue, Sun May 31
This social supper club’s unique selling point is to remove the table from the equation, leaving guests free to move around and mingle with others who have a love of food and conversation. You’ve gotta sign up before they let you know whose house it’ll be in, though.
Film
Far from the Madding Crowd, general release from Fri May 1
Carey Mulligan stars in this lavish adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s grand romance – check out our interview with the star to find out more.
I am Big Bird, selected release from Fri May 1
Puppeteer Carol Spinney is the subject of this heartwarming ‘Sesame Street’ documentary. Big Bird isn’t his only role of course, but ‘I am Oscar the Grouch’ was less catchy.
Heaven Adores You, selected release from Thu May 7
Documentary exploring the life and untimely death of uber-talented singer-songwriter Elliott Smith.
Big Game, general release from Fri May 8
Samuel L Jackson stars as the President in this survival action-adventure, but that’s not the biggest selling point for us – it comes from the twisted Finns who brought us the excellent anti-Christmas movie ‘Rare Exports’.
Girlhood, selected release from Fri May 8
Not a dig at Richard Linklater’s 12-years-in-development opus but an award winning drama depicting a teenage girl’s efforts to fit in with a new group of friends in the tough ghettos of urban Paris.
Mad Max: Fury Road, general release from Fri May 15
Tom Hardy takes the role made famous by Mel Gibson in this apocalyptic Aussie reboot. Fans worried about a toothless, sanitized remake can rest easy – original writer/director George Miller is back on board and, from the looks of the trailer, it’s as crazy as ever.
Tomorrowland, general release from Fri May 15
Director Brad Bird (‘The Incredibles’, ‘Ratatouille’) joins forces with George Clooney for an effects-heavy family sci-fi adventure.
Comedy
Gary Little, The Stand, Wed May 13
The Scottish comic praised as ‘a riot’ by Bill Burr embarks on a nationwide tour, taking his keenly observed stories of Scottish society to all corners of the country.
Dara O’Briain, The Edinburgh Playhouse, Fri May 15 & Sat May 16
Irish comic and ubiquitous TV personality O Briain – he of ‘Mock The Week’, ‘The Apprentice You’re Fired’ and ‘Star Gazing Live’ fame – proves to be even funnier in the flesh with his latest stand-up lark ‘Crowd Tickler’.
Foil, Arms and Hog, The Stand, Tue May 19
The Irish sketch trio and Fringe regulars get a head start on their inevitable Edinburgh residency with this warm-up tour.
Zoe Lyons, The Stand, Sun May 31
Perennial Fringe favourite Lyons returns north – following another sold-out run in Edinburgh last August which attracted a galaxy of four and five star reviews – with a new show covering everything from, um, pan pipes to the price of lobster.
Music & Nightlife
Nothing Ever Happens Here, Summerhall, various dates
Summerhall's glorious live music strand continues, with notable gigs this month from Randolph’s Leap, The Phantom Band, Honeyblood, RM Hubbert, Tuff Love and Withered Hand, not to mention fantastic femmes showcase The Girl Effect.
Akala, Electric Circus, Fri May 1
Hip hop artist, label owner, writer, poet and educator Akala has many strings to his bow (he's also brother to rapper/vocalist Ms Dynamitee-hee). Here he unleashes his beat-based wordsmithery in the Electric Circus.
Tradfest, various venues, until Sun May 10
Annual celebration of folk and trad culture, with highlights including the May Day Parade (confusingly not on May Day), plus music from John Carpenter-influenced Southern Tenant Folk Union, folkie supergroup Khartoum Heroes and Lost Map signee Rozi Plain.
DJ Vadim, The Mash House, Sat May 2
Hard-touring Russia-born, Ninja Tune-signed hip hop, soul, reggae and electronica splicing DJ Vadim comes to Edinburgh together with his new vocal collaborator Governor Tiggy AKA the 'Dubcatcher'.
Jackhammer, Liquid Room, Sat May 2
The superlative techno night welcomes special guests Mike Dearborn (Djax Up Beats, Majesty) and Billy Nasty (Tortured, Electrix).
Harri & Domenic’s Bank Holiday Belter, Sneaky Pete’s, Sun May 3
Sub Club Saturday night residents Harri & Domenic come east for a Bank Holiday special at Sneaky’s – aka your chance to get loaded on a Sunday night guilt-free. Should be a belter.
The Revel of Earthly Delights, Wee Red Bar, Sat May 9
When was the last time you were at a Hieronymous Bosch-themed late night event? If your answer’s ‘never’ (and we’re almost certain it is), get thee along to the ECA’s arty party asap.
Julian Cope, The Liquid Room, Wed May 13
Musician, author, antiquary, musicologist, poet, cultural commentator and all round one-of-a-kind Cope comes to Edinburgh. Expect the unexpected.
Years & Years, Liquid Room, Wed May 20
Winners of the BBC Sound of 2015 poll, this could be Years and Years’, um, year. Fronted by Olly Alexander – also an actor, and familiar with these parts after his lead role in Stuart Murdoch’s film 'God Help The Girl' – the London quartet make danceable electro-pop with an urban twist that’s bang on trend.
Lower Dens, Sneaky Pete’s, Thu May 21
Baltimore indie-rockers currently on tour with Belle and Sebastian (featuring the immediately aforementioned Stuart Murdoch, of course) – they’re squeezing in a 100-capacity gig at Sneaky’s before heading to Glasgow’s 13,000 seater Hydro the following night. That’ll be a gear-change, eh?
Hidden Door Festival, Street Lighting Depot, Fri May 22-Sat May 30
Edinburgh’s very own multi-arts festival dedicated to opening up less-explored spaces pops up this year at the old streetlighting depot on King’s Stables Road (just past the bottom of the Grassmarket). Expect nine days of art installations, short films, theatre performances and – the bit we’re most interested in – music & club nights, including sets from Jonnie Common, Supermoon, Admiral Fallow, Pumajaw, King Eider and Errors. Keep an eye out for their Bongo Lives collaboration with the Bongo Club too.
X Music Festival, Gypsy Brae, Fri May 22 & Sat May 23
It’s the first big weekender of the summer for Edinburgh, as monsters of electronic dance music plus 10,000 revelers take over Gypsy Brae Recreation Ground in Granton for the Bank Holiday weekend. Clean Bandit, Andy C, Sigma, DJ EZ, Skepta, Annie Mac, Gorgon City, Jaguar Skills and many more will feature.
Eddie Argos: I Formed a Band, Voodoo Rooms, Sat May 23
The frontman of London indie rock outfit Art Brut arrives solo to deliver a stirring motivational talk on how to become a rock god, despite not being able to sing.
Eurovision, Sofi’s, Sat May 23
It’s the high camp musical event of the year, so of course you can’t watch it alone in your living room - that's just weird. Head out to Swedish-run Shore bar Sofi’s to watch the finale on the (moderately) big screen.
Nightvision, Liquid Room, Sun May 24
The second season of Musika and Xplicit’s collaborative Edinburgh party series goes out with a bass-y bang, with Dusky and Kerri Chandler topping the bill at a special-guests packed closing party.
Don McLean, Usher Hall, Wed May 27
The man behind the iconic 1970 song ‘American Pie’ – the original lyrics for which recently sold at auction for $1.2 million – comes to Scotland on a rare tour. The 69-year-old with 40 gold and platinum records to his name world-wide will release his latest album ‘Botanical Gardens’ this spring.
James Grant, Queen’s Hall, Fri May 29
Join Love and Money singer-songwriter James Grant for a solo acoustic set, featuring songs from his own back catalogue as well as several favourites from his numerous past collaborations.
Manic Street Preachers, Usher Hall, Sat May 30
Two decades on from the release of their fabled final album with missing-presumed-dead guitarist Richey Edwards, Wales’s greatest ever rock band the Manic Street Preachers present ‘The Holy Bible 20’ – a tour packed with more significance and incredible songs than most groups muster in an entire career.
Balkanarama, Studio 24, Sat May 30
The hot Balkan instrumental orgy celebrates eight years on the go, with a guest slot from Portuguese gypsa/ska ensemble Kumpania Algazarra.
Miaoux Miaoux, Electric Circus, Sun May 31
Glasgow based hypercolour indie dance pop producer Julian Corrie marks the release of his second album on Chemikal Underground Records, ‘School of Velocity’, with an Edinburgh launch show.